12.1 DENTAL EXAMINATION Upon admission, the facility shall provide each resident who consents with an oral examination by a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist. Refusal to consent to such examination shall be documented in the resident's health information record. Each resident or resident representative shall be informed that undiagnosed oral health issues may lead to future health issues.
A) The facility shall ensure that the dental examination is conducted according to current dental practice.B) While the facility is not responsible to pay for such services, the facility shall inform all residents about public benefits for dental services and assist residents in accessing such benefits and services.C) In lieu of the admission examination, the facility may accept written results of a resident's oral examination administered during a period not to exceed six months prior to admission. Documentation of such examination shall be entered into the resident's health information record.12.2 DENTAL RECORDS The dentist or the dental hygienist is responsible for the dental record. For residents who agree to have dental services, the facility shall take all necessary steps to assure that there are complete, accurate dental records that include the following:
A) Results of all current dental examinations and plans for treatment.B) One of the following to document provision of planned treatment: 1) Record of treatment provided pursuant to a plan for treatment, or2) Documentation that a resident of a nursing care facility or resident representative is aware of any and all specific oral pathology identified during an oral examination of the resident, but elects not to obtain treatment because of cost or other reasons.12.3 ORAL APPLIANCES Upon consent, all residents' removable oral appliances or their containers and personal hygiene appliances (including without limitation, full dentures, partial dentures, and toothbrushes) shall be clearly identified and marked with the user's name, as recommended by a dentist.
12.4 DENTAL HYGIENE The facility shall implement policies for daily oral hygiene for its residents, in consultation with a dentist or a dental hygienist. This shall include daily removal and cleaning of removable prosthodontics.
A) Direct care staff from each facility shall have at least an annual in-service training course in preventive dentistry and oral hygiene, conducted by a dentist or dental hygienist.